Revolt in the North

This change is apparently due to the rise in teams meaning 4 groups each with more pools makes more sense than 6 it was last year ( to avoid having to have 3 way semi's)

Edited by Dad - 26 Jun 2019 at 12:34

Novocastrian wrote: 31 clubs now in the Lancs split off league.  There is now talk of making it into 3 leagues. One league of 20 fixtures and two leagues of 18 fixtures.  I was sceptical at first and thought this wouldn’t last more than a season or two, but it seems to be going for  strength to strength and I think the original clubs bold enough to make the decision to breakaway are seeing their risk being rewarded. How long until more and more join them? What effect will this have on Cheshire clubs in the league structure? I think this shows at lower levels (7 and below) the appetite for more and more league rugby isn’t as important as local fixtures played against old friends. I know there’s a lot of hate out there from the L5/6 clubs and above of the completions review, but at lower levels something drastic needs to change. Is this the beginning of a schism as more and more 1st XVs in different CBs start to vote with their feet to leave the RFU league structure? I think the RFU need to allow CBS to begin allowing to structure their own league set up at L7 (perhaps L6 as well) and below in order to keep their clubs happy.

Sounds like this is starting to mirror the situation in the south east, with Essex, Surrey, Sussex and Kent having their own county structures (just to name 4) - it is the clubs who are ambitious to test themselves at a higher level that venture out of their home county and travel for a higher standard of rugby.

Not sure why this hasn't always been the case up North

Camquin wrote: The county leagues round London sit under London 3 so are at level 9 and below. The Lancashire league includes teams from North Lancs and Cumbria (level 7) and below.

I am aware of that, however arguably London area is a special case given the amount of clubs in a condensed area.

Because of this I would argue other regions could/should do as the North West has at a higher level.

Loo fighters wrote: Three Wirral clubs joined of late, they'll be back in Cumbria before long.

Loo fighters wrote: PiffPaff wrote: Loo fighters wrote: Three Wirral clubs joined of late, they'll be back in Cumbria before long. LF, highly unlikely Bit toungue in cheek PP. But when you consider Garstang to Ellesmere port isn't dissimilar in mileage than a trip to Keswick, how far is too far?

33 clubs now have joined

Bearing in mind travel was the main reason for the breakaway, it would seem that with the distances being mentioned all the breakaway has achieved is taking everything outside the RFU structure.

Maybe this was the intention all along?

Raider999 wrote: Monkey Boy wrote: You’ve basically got a situation know where if a Lancashire club finishes bottom of Level 7 then they have very little option left to them to exist in the structure.  Want to try and get back to Level 7?  Well you drop to L8 in Cumbria and try and get promoted. Or maybe a Notts, Lincs, Derby League would let them in if they are over to the east of Manchester.  Or perhaps join Yorkshire at L8. Clubs at L7 this season, if it ever starts, are fighting for their very existence down to the actions of Lancashire CB men and some power crazy individuals. I assume there is no promotion from the old 'Lancashire route' so how can a Lancashire side be relegated with nowhere to go.

Monkey Boy wrote: https://twitter.com/martynsharkey/status/1255065306583764992?s=21 Parkonians take on it all. They’ve dropped out of league rugby altogether and effectively playing against lower sides of clubs - the reason being there’s no one left for them to play as all their neighbouring Cheshire have joined the Lancashire leagues set up for Lancashire clubs to play local games and avoid travel. Work that one out!